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Brett Clothier, head of the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) warned against non-compliant IV intravenous drip therapy, which is gaining popularity. Two athletes have been given a short-term suspension for receiving the therapy. Both athletes admitted they had received over 100 ml over a 24-hour period, which constitutes a suspension. However, no prohibited substances were detected in either athlete.
Rushelle Burton of Jamaica and Tamara Clark USA have been handed suspensions after an investigation by the AIU.
The AIU has banned Rushelle Burton (Jamaica) and Tamara Clark (USA) for 4 months, from 1 February 2023 to 30 May 2023, for the use of a Prohibited Method (IV infusion). DQ results from 25 January 2023 until 1 February 2023. pic.twitter.com/LzDPPQKG5s
— Athletics Integrity Unit (@aiu_athletics) June 1, 2023
The practice of IV infusions has been on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list of prohibited substances since 2005.
An AIU press release reads, “The matter came to light when Clark was subjected to drug testing by the AIU on January 26, 2023. She and Burton proactively informed the AIU about the treatment received and readily cooperated with the subsequent investigation which confirmed the IVs contained no Prohibited Substances and that the violations of the Rules were inadvertent. The athletes accepted voluntary provisional suspensions from February 1, 2023, pending the conclusions of their matters which were ultimately settled via Case Resolution Agreements involving the athletes, the AIU and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Burton and Clark were given periods of ineligibility from Feb. 1 to May 30, and their results from Jan. 25 to Feb. 1 have been disqualified.”
Twenty-five-year-old Burton is a 100m sprinter and specialises in the 100m hurdles. She holds a best of 12.65. Clark is a 100m and 200m specialist. She has run the 100m event as fast as 10.88 and 10.81 wind-aided and the 200m in the time of 21.92. The 24-year-old finished sixth at the 2022 Eugene World Athletics Championships in the 200m event, clocking a 22.32.
